WASHINGTON —
We are pleasantly surprised at the turnout for the first and second installments of Mayor Joe Wellman’s listening sessions held earlier this week.
We were impressed with the more than 100 folks of all ages who turned out to give input on everything from city trash to saving the theater. The ideas and concerns mentioned were practical and important to consider as we look to move Washington forward as a great place to live and work — even more important as construction workers on the city’s east side brings interstate transportation closer one day at a time.
Undoubtedly cleaning up the city, including removing tall grass and abandoned cars and abandoned properties, should be a top priority.
We believe repurposing the Tokheim location should also be high on the list, as grant monies already help fund a neighborhood stablization program on the west side.
Infrastructure on the eastside with the expected influx of business and industry is important, and saving the theater is one of our personal favorites.
Citizens have one more chance to be heard publicly at a listening session. Next Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to noon, the mayor will have his last session at Council Chambers, 200 Harned Ave.
The city council and mayor have promised to take the combined list garnered from the sessions and create an action plan.We appreciate Mayor Wellman’s straightforward way in seeking public input.
Certainly no one will be able to say he wasn’t willing to listen to ideas.
Despite the county’s medicore report card from this week’s Ball State rankings, we still believe Washington is a great place to live and work.
Could it be better? Sure. Can we work at it together? Absolutely.
And, we can start by telling Mayor Wellman what we believe is important — and thank him for listening.
Columns
Listening makes all the difference
- Columns
-
-
Stop acting like sports are life and death
I’ve followed sports for much of my 27 years on earth, but one inescapable fact has caught my attention lately - sports make people crazy. You can't get around the fact that rooting for your favorite team can enrage you and turn you into a ravenous sports junkie. Passion isn’t always a bad thing, but combined with hatred for the rival of your favorite team can turn into something ugly and disgusting.
-
A confession directly from Genoa City, Wis.
I am a confessed hopeless addict. And, after a conversation this week, even my co-workers know the ugly truth. I rarely go an entire week without catching up on my soap opera - The Young and the Restless.
-
Quite simply less is more
Money can’t buy happiness, or at least that’s what you have been told. In Major League Baseball there has been a hot debate on when and how much should a team spend to improve the team on the field.
-
Daviess County talent runs deep
Oakland City University head men’s basketball coach Dr. Mike Sandifar has a long and successful career.
He has a combined high school and college mark of 631-383 and is 427-234 at Oakland City in a career that covers 1987-1999 and 2003-2013. -
The thrill of the grass
In the spring, they say a young man’s fancy turns to — baseball.
-
Jackie still a hero after all these years
Too often in our society we put elite athletes on a pedestal so high that they are referred to as heroes and we talk about the so-called adversity they face. This, of course, is laughable on every level.
-
A lifelong love of golf
It was an unusually cold, snowy day in April as I looked out the window at the clubhouse nearly 20 years ago.
Winter was hanging on, and golf on that particular Monday was not going to happen. -
All she needs is GPS, notebook
Lately some residents may have seen an out-of-county car driving aimlessly around town in search of some destination that even the youngest kiddo could find in a matter of seconds. That car would be mine, and the driver, who on occasion has nearly turned the wrong way down one way streets would be me, Lindsay Owens. Fear not though. I have GPS and a collection of maps Columbus would have envied.
-
At home - at Last
Today, on the Korean peninsula, missiles are pointed, troops are being amassed and political temperatures are reaching the boiling point.
-
IU still working towards sixth banner
Monday night in Atlanta, Louisville won the school’s first National Championship since the year I was born - 1986. This accomplishment is significant to Indiana basketball fans, because the last two times the Cardinals cut down the nets (1980, 1986), the Hoosiers did it the following year. The stat, of course means nothing, other than both schools had strong programs in the 1980s.
- More Columns Headlines
-
Stop acting like sports are life and death
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
